Scottie Scheffler detained in handcuffs after traffic stop outside US PGA

Extraordinary footage has shown the world No 1, Scottie Scheffler, being placed in handcuffs and detained by police outside the gates of Valhalla before the second round of the US PGA Championship. Eye witnesses said police and Scheffler became involved in a misunderstanding with police over traffic flow and he was removed from his tournament vehicle.

Starting times for Friday at Valhalla had already been delayed by one hour and 20 minutes after an early morning accident close to the course had led to the death of a pedestrian.

Scheffler’s original time was 8.48am, meaning he had travelled to Valhalla for warm-up duties while it was still dark. There is currently no confirmation on whether or not the Masters champion and US PGA tournament favourite will be released by police in time to compete in round two.

ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington, who witnessed the incident, said on air: “Traffic had been backed up and building, Scottie Scheffler tried to enter Valhalla Golf Club using a side median, at which point a police officer instructed him to stop. Scheffler attempted to continue to go, the police officer then attached himself to the side of Scheffler’s car.

“Scheffler stopped the vehicle as he turned into Valhalla Golf Club at the entrance, about 10 to 20 yards from the point at which the police officer first told him to stop. At that point the police officer instructed Scheffler to get out of the car. He rolled down the window, the police officer grabbed his arm and started pulling at it. He reached inside, opened the car door, pulled Scheffler out, pushed him up against the car, immediately placed him in handcuffs.”

LMPD had earlier released a statement on the traffic accident. “About 5am this morning, the LMPD responded to a call of a vehicle collision involving a pedestrian and a bus,” the statement read. “Our preliminary investigation found that an adult male pedestrian was crossing Shelbyville Road south to north when he was struck by a shuttle bus that was travelling eastbound in the compulsory centre lane dedicated for buses.

“As a result, the pedestrian received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. The LMPD Traffic Unit is investigating.”

Darlington also posted footage on his account on X, formerly Twitter, in which Scheffler appeared to turn to the reporter and say: “Can you please help me?” A police officer then tells the reporter: “Right now he’s going to jail and it ain’t nothing you can do about.” Scheffler, wearing shorts and t-shirt, was at this time being guided by fellow law enforcement into a waiting car.